File.



Patented Mar. I2, I90". L. C. MONEAL.

No. 669,70L.

3 Shoots-Sheet L.

(No llodel.)

. ///MW/////// z No. '669,70|. Patented Mar. I2, 19m.

- 1 L. c. McNEAL.

FILE.

(Application filed July 8, 1897- Renewed May 28, 1900.:

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sha'et 2.

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' morsfia ol. Patentd Mar. |2, 1 9 m.

L. c. McNEAL.

FILE.

(Ayplication filed July 8, 1897. Renewed May 28, 1900.)

(No Model.) 3 Shaets-3fiaet 3 \Q) Q MN Fi/z . E s s: INVENTOR WM 8 E Mm zzszma ATTORNEYS,

ml: norms PETERS c0 Puma-um" WASHINGTON. 0.1.

NlTED STATES LUTHER C. MONEAL, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

FILE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 669,701, dated March 12, 190i.

Application filed July 8, 1897, Renewed May 2 1900. Serial No. 18,311. No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LUTHER G. MCNEAL, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Files, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in files of the class set forth in my pending application, Serial No. 610,192, filed October 27, 1896, and has for its object the production of asimple, practical, and eifective device which is particularly applicable for receiving and retaining cards, tickets, checks, notes, and other articles and permitting removal or rearrangement thereof; and to this end the invention consists in the combination, construction, and arrangement of the component parts of a file, all as hereinafter fully de. scribed, and pointed out in the claims.

In describing this invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which like letter-s indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a top plan, partly in section, of my improved file. Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5 are sectional views taken, respectively, on lines 2 2, Fig. 1, and 3 3, 4:4, and 55, Fig. 2. Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged detail sectional views, partly in elevation, of a portion of the operating-piece of my invention and the means for locking and releasing said operatingpiece. Fig. 8 is an isometric view of the central portion of said operating-piece. Fig. 9 is a detail section taken on line 9 9, Fig. 1. Fig. 10 isa face view of one of the cards or other articles which my improved file is designed to receive, and Figs. 11 and 12 are face views of slightly-modified forms of followers for said file.

My improved file comprises in its organization a frame A for receiving cards, tickets, checks, notes, and other articles a, and a movable locking-bar B for holding said articles in position. The frame A, which may be of any desirable form, size, and construction, is preferably rectangular and is provided with a longitudinal guide a, transverse guides a arranged one in advance of the other, and receiving-sockets (t at, formed in the ad jacent faces of its lengthwise sides or walls a a The sockets a are usuallyin closeproximity to the bottom walla of the frame A, and the sockets a preferably consist of substantially upright grooves arranged above the sockets a and having their inner faces extended upwardly toward the side or wall of. The articles Ct, supported within the frame A, are arranged crosswise between the sides or walls a a and are formed with apertures Ctwhich usually extend upwardly from their lower edges and are provided with enlarged upper ends for forming engaging shoulders, as clearly seen in Fig. 10,

The locking-bar B is movable laterally in a substantially straight line for detachably interlocking with the shoulders of the articles a, formed by the apertures a and is preferably arranged adjacent to a second lockingbar B, which is usually similarly movable, although it may be fixed to the frame A in any suitable manner. The bars B B are generally formed of greater width than thickness and are arranged edgewise, but may be otherwise formed and arranged, if desired. When the locking-bars B B are in close proximity they readily enter or leave the apertures a as the articles a are arranged, removed, or rearranged, and when the bars B B are separated the opposite sides or engaging shoulders of the enlarged upper ends of the apertures a are engaged by said bars, thus positively and effectively retaining said articles in position. It is obvious, however, that if the frame A is provided with lengthwise sides or walls a a, as illustrated, and the cards or other articles closely fit between the adjacent faces of the lengthwise sides or walls saidcards or other articles may be locked in position by the bar B and the bar B may be dispensed with.

The locking-bars B B may be guided in their movement by any suitable means, but are preferably formed at their opposite extremities with laterally-projecting arms or extensions 1) b, movable in the transverse guides 01, of the frame A. The means for moving the bars B B preferably consists of an operating-piece O, which usually reciprocates lengthwise of the frame A within the longitudinal guide a and is provided at its opposite ends with diverging shoulders c c, engaged with the arms or extensions 1) b and generally movable in transverse grooves b in said arms. It is obvious, however, that said operating-piece may he provided with only one shoulder c at each end if the bar B is fixed or is dispensed with. The operatingpiece 0 is preferably utilized to actuate suitable means for holding the locking-bars in their operative position and preventing bending or springing of said bars when separated. Said means usually consists of a stiifeningpiece or lever D, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, arranged in an upright slot in the central portion of said operating-piece and having its lower end pivoted to the bottom wall a of the frame A and its upper end provided with laterallyprojecting shoulders d, which are normally arranged beneath the bars B B in a cut-out c in the operating-piece 0. As the operatingpiece 0 reaches the limit of its movement for separating the bars B B inclined or camshaped shoulders 0 Fig. 8, provided upon said operating-piece, engage the lower. faces of the shoulders d d and force said shoulders upwardly between the bars B B. When the bars B B are of comparatively short length, a single stiffening-piece D operates to prevent bending or springing thereof; but it is obvious that several stiffening-pieces may be used if the bars B B are of sufficient length to require more than one stiffening-piece.

In the preferable construction of my invention the locking-bars B B are forced to their operative position by a suitable spring E, are prevented from undue lateral movement by one or more stop-shoulders c and are retained in their inoperative position by a catchor stop F.

The spring E, Fig. 5, is generally fixed to the rear side or wall a of the frame A, is engaged with the rear end of the operating-piece O, and operates to move said opcrating-piece lengthwise away from the side or wall a for forcing the locking-bars B B away from each otherinto their operative positions. The stop-shoulders 0 Figs. 1 and 2, 2, are preferably formed upon the operatingpiece 0 and engage the inner face of the front side or wall a of the frame A. The catch or stop F is usually pivoted to the inner face of said side or wall a is movable into engagement with a shoulder 0 preferably provided upon a guide 0 formed upon the front end of the operating-piece O, and is forced from operative position by a suitable handpiece f, which is generally utilized to actuate the operating-piece O. A suitable spring f, Fig. 4, normally forces the catch or stop F into its operative position and a pin or shoulder f limits the movement of said catch or stop by the spring f. The handpiecefis preferably movable longitudinally inthe guide 0 previously mentioned, and is formed with an inclined or cam-shaped shoulder f arranged normally in front of the catch or stop F, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 6. When the handpiece f is moved inwardly for separating the lockingbars B B, the upwardly -inclined or camshaped shoulder f is arranged at the rear of the catch or stop F, and the handpiece is withdrawn outwardly said shoulder passes beneath the free end of said catch or stop and elevates the same above the shoulder 0 provided upon guide 0 formed upon the operating-piece C. In order to permit of the disengagement of the catch or stop F from the shoulder 0 before the movement of the operating-piece O, utilized to permit the lockingbars B B to assume their normal position, the handpiecefis movable independently of the operating-piece O for a limited distance. The means for permitting the independent movement of the handpiece and connecting the handpiece to the operating-piece O preferably consists of a pin f which projects laterally beyond opposite sides of the inner end of the handpiecefand is movable in lengthwise slots 0 formed in opposite sides of the guide 0 A follower G is usually movable lengthwise of the locking-barsB B, is formed with an aperture g, corresponding to the apertures a and is held in its adjusted position by any suitable means, which usually consists of lower and upper shoulders g g projecting laterally from the end edges of the follower G and reinovably arranged in the sockets a a of the lengthwise sides or walls of the frame A. The upper portion of the front face 9 of the follower G inclines downwardly toward the front'wall or side a of the frame A, and the lower portion of said front face, Fig. 9, is

usually formed substantially parallel with 'said front side or wall for preventing undue upward movement of the articles awhen being handled. The follower G preferably consists of separated sect-ions g movable toward and away from each other, one of the sections being provided with lengthwise sockets g for receiving pins or dowels g projecting from the other section. A suitable spring 9 is interposed between the sections g for normally forcing the outer end edges of said sections toward the inner faces of the opposite sides or walls a a of the frame A and holding the shoulders g 9 within the sockets a a even when the frame A is inverted. When it is desired to adjust or remove the follower G, its sections 9 are moved toward each other against the action of the spring 9 until the ends of said sections are disengaged from the sides or walls a a of the frame A, whereupon said follower may be moved freely between the sides or walls a a. The shoulders g g and the sockets a a permit only a limited number of adjustments of the follower G, and

consequentlyI frequently dispense with said shoulders and sockets and frictionally engage the outer end faces of the follower G with the opposite sides or walls (t a of the frame A.

The described construction of follower is particularly simple and effective; but my invention is obviously not limited thereto, since followers of different construction, as those illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, may be used,

if desired. The follower G (seen in Fig. 11)

consists of two sections 9 g hinged together at g and provided with shoulders g projecting from the upper extremities of their end edges. When the follower G is used in my improved file, the sockets in the lengthwise sides or walls of the frame of said file are arranged in substantially the same horizontal plane. The follower G (illustrated in Fig. 12) consists of a continuous piece provided with shoulders 9 projecting from the upper extremity of one end edge and the lower extremity of the opposite end edge. This construction of follower is usually provided with a spring 9 secured to one of its end edges, for engaging the adjacent side or wall of the frame of my file and holding the shoulders g in operative position when the file is inverted.

The construction and operation of my improved file will now be readily understood upon reference to the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings, and it will be particularly noted that the same is simple in construction and is practical and effective in operation. It will also be noted that the exact construction and arrangement of the component parts of my improved file may be more or less varied, as indicated herein, and consequently I do not limit myself to such exact construction and arrangement.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, said frame being provided with a guide, and a locking-bar for entering the apertures, said bar being arranged at substantially right angles with the guide and having a lateral arm or extension movable in the guide, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, said frame being provided with a guide, a locking-bar for entering the apertures, said bar being arranged at substantially right angles with theguide and having a lateral arm or extension movable in the guide, and a reciprocating operating-piece connected to the locking-bar for moving the same laterally,.

substantially as set forth.

3. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or otherarticles having apertures therein, said frame being provided with a pair of guides, a locking-bar for entering the apertures, said bar being arranged at substantially right angles with the guides and hav ing its opposite extremities provided with lateral arms or extensions movable in the guides, and a spring for forcing the lockingbar to its operative position, substantially as described.

. 4. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, a locking-bar for entering the apertures, said bar being prevented from endwise movement and being movable laterally in the apertures in a substantially straight line, and an operating-piece having an inclined shoulder for engaging the locking-bar, snbstantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, said frame being provided with a guide, a locking-bar for entering the apertures, said bar being arranged at substantially right angles with the guide and having a lateral arm or extension movable in the guide, and an operating-piece having an inclined shoulder for engaging the lateral arm or extension, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, said frame being provided with a pair of guides, a locking-bar for entering the apertu res, said bar being arranged at substantially right angles with the guides and having its opposite extremities provided with lateral arms or extensions movable in the guides, and areciprocating operating-piece having its opposite ends provided with inclined. shoulders for engaging the arms or extensions of the locking-bar, substantially as and for the purpose described.

7. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards orother articles having apertures therein, said frame being provided with a guide, a pair of locking-bars for entering the apertures, said bars being movable laterally toward and away from each otherin a substantially straight line, and having lateral arms or extensions movable in the guide, and an operatingpiece connected to both of the locking-bars for moving the same laterally, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

8. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, said frame being provided with substantially transverse guides, a pair of lockingbars for entering the apertures, said bars being arranged at substantially right angles with the guides and having their opposite extremities provided with arms or extensions movable in the guides, and an operating-piece having its opposite extremities provided with diverging shoulders for engaging the arms or extensions of the lockingbars, substantially as and for the purpose described.

9. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, a follower, a locking-bar for entering the apertures, and means movable independently of the follower for preventing springing or bending of the locking-bar, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, a pair of locking-bars for entering the apertures, and means movable between the bars for preventing bending or springing thereof, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

11. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, a pair of locking-bars for entering the apertures, one of the bars being movable laterally toward and away from the other bar, means movablebetween the bars for preventing bending or springing thereof, and an opcrating-piece connected to said one of the bars and to said means, substantially as and for the purpose described.

12. A file comprisinga frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, said frame being provided with substantially transverse guides, a pair of lockingbars for entering the apertures, said bars being arranged at substantially right angles with the guides and having their opposite extremities provided with arms or extensions movable in the guides, astiflening-piece movable between the locking-bars for preventing bending or springing thereof, an operatingpiece for actuating the stiffening-piece, said operating-piece having diverging'shoulders for engaging the arms or extensions of the locking-bars, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

13. Av file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, a locking-bar for entering the apertures, a stiffening-piece consisting of a pivoted lever for engaging the locking-bar and preventing bending or springing thereof, and a reciprocating operating-piece for actuating the locking-bar, said operating-piece being formed with a cam-shaped shoulder for engaging the stiffening-piece, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

14. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures there in, a pair of locking-bars for entering the apertures, a stiffening-piece consisting of a pivoted lever havingits upper extremity movable between and beneath the locking-bars, and means for actuating said stiffening-piece, substantially as and for thepurposedescribed.

15. A file comprising aframe for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, a movable locking-bar for entering theapertures, a catch or stop for preventing movement of the locking-bar, and means movable independently of the locking-bar.

and then simultaneously therewith for forcing the catch or stop from its operative position and then moving the locking-bar from its operative position, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

16. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, a movable locking-bar for entering the apertures, an operating-piece for actuating the locking-bar, a catch orstop for preventing movement of the locking-bar, and a handpiece for moving the operating-piece and forcing the catch or stop from operative position, substantially as and for the purpose described.

17. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, a movable locking-bar for entering the apertures, a reciprocatingoperating-piece for actuating the locking-bar, a catch or stop for preventing movement of the locking-bar, and a reciprocating handpiece for moving the operating-piece and forcing the catch or stop from operative position, said handpiece being movable independently of the operatingpiece during'a portion of its movement, substantially as set forth.

18. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, said frame having opposite sides or walls provided with sockets, and a follower for holding the cards or other articles in their adjusted position, said follower being composed of sections movable toward and away from said sides or walls and provided with shoulders movable into the sockets, substantially as and for the purpose described.

19. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or otherarticles having apertures therein, said frame havingopposite sides or walls provided with sockets, the sockets in one side or wall of the frame being arranged in a plane above the opposite sockets, a follower for holding the cards or other articles in their adjusted position, said follower being provided with shoulders movable into the sockets, and a spring for preventing withdrawal of the shoulders from'the sockets, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

20. A file comprising a frame for receiving ders, said frame being provided with a guide,

a locking bar for detachably interlocking with the engaging shoulders, said bar being arranged at substantially right angles with the guide and movable lengthwise thereof, a catch or stop forpreventing movement of the locking-bar, and means movable independently of the looking-bar and then simultaneously therewith forcing the catch or stop from its operative position, and then moving the locking-bar from its operative position, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

21. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles, said frame having opposite sides or Walls, and a follower interposed between the opposite sides or walls and composed of sections having their end edges movable toward and away from said sides or walls, substantially as and for the purpose described.

22. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles, a movable locking-bar for holding the cards or other articles in position, a followerinterposed between the opposite sides or walls and movable lengthwise of the locking-bar, said follower-being composed of sections having their end edges movable toward and away from said sides or walls, and a spring for forcing the sections of the follower to their operative position, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

23. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, said frame having one of its sides or walls provided with sockets, and a follower provided with a shoulder movable into the sockets, said follower consisting of opposite sections movable toward and away from each other, and a spring for normally separating the sections, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, in the presence of two at- 7 testing Witnesses, at Rochester, in the eonnty I0 of Monroe, in the State of New York, this 19th day of June, 1897.

LUTHER O. MGNEAL. Witnesses:

SELDEN S. BROWN, LOUISE H. SELDEN. 

